The Green Invasion | Teen Ink

The Green Invasion MAG

October 14, 2008
By Sarah Jane McGinn BRONZE, Fremont, Michigan
Sarah Jane McGinn BRONZE, Fremont, Michigan
3 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Green fashions, green brands, green makeup, green lifestyles. Green is the new pink in the world today. Going green has taken our ailing planet by storm, changing the everyday lives of its citizens. An immeasurable amount of the population is converting their regular routine as part of the green movement. Stores and companies are starting to produce greener, more natural merchandise. These changes are only baby steps in the process of saving our planet from ourselves. Global warming is one of the biggest dilemmas in our world at the moment, but has “going green” ­become more than just a concern? Has going green become a trend among corporations, therefore a fashion for consumers?

Not long ago, U.S. corporations were ignoring the idea of environmentally conscious products and processes. As the green phenomenon came into the picture, however, companies have done a 180 with their sales tactics. According to Sandra Jones of the Chicago Tri­bune, “Apple Inc. launched ‘A Greener Apple’ campaign and pledged to remove toxic chemicals from its new computer products. Home Depot Inc. unveiled an Eco-Options stamp for more than 2,500 environmentally friendly products in its stores. And Kohl’s Corp. said it plans to convert most of its California stores to ­solar power.” These changes, along with ­being good for our environment, are ­intended to step up sales. Consumers like to see companies make an effort to help the environment, and by buying those products they feel as if they have contributed to the cause as well.

Although everything seems to be changing its color to green, there is not likely to be another hippie era. This conversion to environmentalism is more gradual and technology-based. Many people really care, even to the extreme, but not everyone cares quite as much as they pretend to. Teenage girls may buy a shirt that says “Hug a Tree.” Do they want to broadcast its message or did they just like the cute squirrel on it? A mother may go to the grocery store and instead of picking the packaged produce, opt for the ­organic greens. Does she know the health benefits or did she choose them because she saw another mom put them in her cart? Some consumers care. Others just follow the leader.

Kicking off the green movement are Hollywood’s finest. Well, the ones who can afford it. Although many people are jumping on the hybrid-powered bandwagon, when celebrities step up and state firmly in front of thousands of people that they are going green, I must admit that doubt lingers in the back of my mind. Do they really care or is it for publicity? Should we care more about them going green than ­another person?

Thomas Kostigen, co-author of The Green Book, shared his opinion in an interview with TheDailyGreen.com: “If you look at the two most searched words on Yahoo last year, it was Britney Spears. You can understand how the power of celebrities can bring attention to a cause.” What Kostigen says is true, but it only backs the theory that going green has become a trend. Cele­brities help put a face to the cause, which can be wonderful, but for some celebrities it’s just another endorsement that makes them more popular.

The thought of Hollywood going green used to be laughable. Not anymore. Bryan Walsh, a journalist for Time magazine, jests, “Think Hollywood and sustainability may not be the first word to cross your mind. The entertainment industry has been the embodiment of American over-consumption.” Walsh’s summary of the Hollywood lifestyle goes from superficial to super-green. “Recycling? That was for plot lines,” he scoffs. This is a new Hollywood “where solar panels and Priuses are the new must-have toys.” There is something mildly hypocritical about celebrities telling regular people to sacrifice for the cause of going green. Few stars seem to be giving up their multimillion-dollar mansions or $10,000 outfits.

It’s great that Hollywood’s finest can convert everything in their primped lives to green with the swipe of a ­Mastercard, but what about the other 95 percent of the population? As Lisa Takeuchi Cullen points out in her Time magazine article, “It’s Inconvenient Being Green,” the typical American household emits 7.5 tons of carbon dioxide each year. As a mother, she knows just how hard it is to cut back on everything. “It’s easier to drive to the grocery store than to plant my own garden.” Cullen makes one of the best points for most Americans. It’s easier not to follow the crowd in the green movement. It’s easier, not better.

Making it easier for average consumers to go green are the brands that have gone green themselves. But as Sally Deneen argues in her article “Greenwashing,” not all companies are true to their green pledge. “Greenwashing is environmental whitewashing,” says Deneen. Watchdog organization CorpWatch defines it as “the phenomenon of socially and environmentally destructive corporations attempting to preserve and expand their markets by posing as friends of the environment and leaders in the struggle to eradicate poverty.” Greenwashing is occurring more and more as the trend of going green grows, which makes it hard to tell which products are environmentally friendly. Labels on products don’t tell consumers much.

Among some reported “greenwashing” companies are Aveeno, Target, and Ford. The Aveeno skin care line has based its products around the science of “active naturals.” But critics say Aveeno products also contain non-natural ingredients. Target has been accused of selling toys and other products that contain polyvinyl chloride, a type of plastic that has raised health concerns. Ford announced that all corporate brand ­advertisements would have an environmental theme; meanwhile, the com­pany produced the gas-guzzling Ford Excursion. Bottom line is that some companies couldn’t care less about being green. They’re in it for the profits.

Another group that is starting to go green is the hospitality industry. Hotels that serve organic meals or use solar power are the hottest places to stay. “Just because a hotel is luxurious ­doesn’t mean it has to compromise the environment,” says Newsweek columnist Jaime Cunningham. “Some top-notch resorts are experimenting with innovative ecological programs that aim to keep the planet’s – and their own – best interests at heart.” Yet the organic programs at these hotels never take away from their luxury. “Going green doesn’t mean giving up the gold,” Cunningham says, and she’s absolutely right.

Al Gore is the head-honcho who helped spur the green movement. This former vice president’s best-seller, Earth in the Balance, and his Oscar-winning documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” set off sparks across the globe. The insights in Gore’s book and documentary scared people into listening to the silent plea of Planet Earth. Gore emphasizes, “We are invading ourselves and attacking the ecological system of which we are a part. As a ­result, we now face the prospect of a kind of global civil war between those who refuse to consider the consequences of civilization’s relentless advance and those who refuse to be silent partners in the destruction.” Reading those words, wheels started clicking into place in the minds of millions who want to ensure that Gore’s predictions will never become reality.

Green – the word is everywhere. Trend or not, it still makes a difference. The girl in the “Hug a Tree” shirt has contributed to a cause that may save a tree she would never consider actually hugging. The mom cooking with organic veggies instead of pro­cessed goods made that night’s dinner healthier for her family and the environment. Going green may be a trend, but that doesn’t mean it’s not helping. This trend will hopefully become a dedicated movement to help save our home, Planet Earth.



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This article has 16 comments.


JjustTazzy said...
on Jun. 29 2011 at 10:31 pm

Dust bowl is probably a bad example, that was caused by humans. Global warming is a fruad though, I believe the controversy was called 'Climategate' when someone hackied into leading researchers email accounts and exposed that the numbers were less than truthful.

We probably should try to lessen need on non-renewable resources, since they don't last forever. Not to mention that the emissions can really hurt you lungs...


on Nov. 21 2010 at 4:56 pm
ryanbonner12 BRONZE, Hatfield, Pennsylvania
2 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
"How vain it is to sit down and write, when you have not stood up to live." -Thoreau

While it's easy to say that it is just natural cycle of the earth, there is far too much evidence pointing otherwise. The warming of the climate has a positive correlation with the amount of carbon dioxide and greenhouses in the atmosphere as it traps the warmth of the sunlight. Although correlation does not always mean causation, the current human activities that emit these gases in the air (coal mining/refining, industry pollution, power plants) have only increased since the industrial revolution, leading one to be almost 99% certain that global warming is caused by humans. Oh, and the dust bowl was also an anthropogenic disaster as it was caused by poor agricultural practices and the resulting soil degredation, not caused by the earth at all.

on Oct. 8 2010 at 7:45 pm
KunaiNinjaFighter SILVER, Monticello, Arkansas
7 articles 0 photos 67 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Think left and thing right, Think low and Think High, Oh the thinks you can think up, if only you try!" Dr. Suess oh and "Two things are infinite: The Universe and Human Stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.'- Albert Einstein

Guess that I'll be the black sheep in the herd; I'm tired of all this going green stuff. And here's why- it's useless. People are so flipping concerned about global warming, when it's more often than not, mother nature going through one of her moods. It happens. Just because it's getting drier and hotter doesn't mean that we need to freak out and go green. Look at the dust bowl; it was just a rough spot in Earth's natural regulating proccess.

on Jul. 12 2010 at 11:46 am
thezebrasgray PLATINUM, Taylorsville, Utah
46 articles 0 photos 231 comments
amen! amen! amen!

JLover BRONZE said...
on May. 29 2010 at 4:20 am
JLover BRONZE, Sevilla, Alabama
2 articles 0 photos 6 comments

I loved it ^^

And I couldnt agree more. Honestly =)

I once read a real good book, titled: Blue planet, not green.

Its really good cuz it questions all the impacts that human beings have on the planet. Yes, we all know global warming is a problem, a BIG problem, as is the greenhouse effect, ozone layer and a bunch of more hot topics I do not wish to discuss right now cuz then my comment would be too long.

But who knows exactly what kind of impact we have on the Earth? Sure, its terrible but who can REALLY say that they know for SURE, for a FACT that all these problems we have right now, would NEVER have happened if humans didnt exist. Hey, they might have not. Or maybe much later. But still its interesting...

Dont get me wrong, I have always been "green". I recycle, use recycled paper and have always been the new twenty first century kind of "hippie".

But now its a trend to be "green", I find it interesting to hear other opinions. Even if it doesnt change my own =)

What do you think? ^^


on May. 15 2010 at 9:04 pm
Alice_in_Wonderland GOLD, San Clemente, California
16 articles 0 photos 620 comments

Favorite Quote:
“I could give up, I could stay stuck, or I could move on, So I put one foot front of the other, No no no nothing’s gonna break my stride, “ –David Archuleta (The Other Side of Down)

By the way, I forgot to mention this but, great choice on choosing the picture to go with the article too. I wonder if they will start making green,environmentally friendly fireworks. That would be cool. Totally agree with your article too.

on May. 15 2010 at 9:02 pm
Alice_in_Wonderland GOLD, San Clemente, California
16 articles 0 photos 620 comments

Favorite Quote:
“I could give up, I could stay stuck, or I could move on, So I put one foot front of the other, No no no nothing’s gonna break my stride, “ –David Archuleta (The Other Side of Down)

Great job! I lked your article but it was kind of long... You should go into journalism and write for newspapers or be on the news channel. It was good! Great job! Will you please read,comment and rate my writing too? Thanks!

Schism said...
on Apr. 26 2010 at 10:50 am
Schism, Blenheim, Other
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted." -Martin Luther King Jr.

Do you ever wonder why virtually every credible environmental scientist worldwide believes global warming is real? Do you know how devastating a seemlingly insignificant increase like 0.6 degrees Celsius is?

on Jan. 17 2010 at 4:22 pm
skatezero14 SILVER, Hartland, Wisconsin
7 articles 0 photos 8 comments
You could cross out any future plans and scribble in journalism in your number one spot. Great statistics and quotes inflate this article more than the CO2 in our O-zone... literally. Global warming is a fallacy, no matter who endorses it. I don't want to say that mother earth doesn't deserve some respect, but i would rather not go out of my way to feed the beast. Since 1980 the government has spent over 79 billion dollars on something that proves to be non-fatal in our near future. The IPCC says that the globes average surface temperature has only increased by 0.6 degrees celcius in the 20th century. Does 0.6 degrees scare me? No.

on Dec. 26 2009 at 4:08 pm
Dandelion PLATINUM, Franklin, Massachusetts
20 articles 8 photos 173 comments
Great article! Nicely done! Going green can be expensive if you live in a place where growing a garden isn't possible. I don't buy organic; I grow organic!

on Oct. 21 2009 at 3:01 pm
That_One_Guy BRONZE, Carrollton, Texas
2 articles 0 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
"there is nouthing to fear but fear itself...and spiders" "that's what she said"

people [sales,shops, etc.,] took "going green" as a opertunity to you sell you something green. totaly right though!

beastwilson said...
on Sep. 29 2009 at 9:28 am
Enjoyed your article and wow at the green lifestyle

alyce h. said...
on Apr. 11 2009 at 4:50 am
journal on green

blah 14 said...
on Jan. 29 2009 at 2:11 pm
This article seemed to be an effective article. It wanted us to take action in going green

Newms said...
on Jan. 13 2009 at 2:53 am
Fantastic article. Extremely well written. It's not easy writing about Green.

CandyMonroe said...
on Jan. 11 2009 at 12:07 am
You Go, Girl! Loved it! Go Green!